Dangers to Patients Health
An individual who receives a counterfeit drug may risk a number of dangerous health consequences.
Risks for the patient
The drug may
- contain a different quantity of the original active ingredient
- contain totally different active ingredients
- contain toxic ingredients
- bear forged manufacturer's data on the packaging
- have been completely repackaged
- have been produced under conditions that do not conform with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP)
- have not been stored properly.
Patients may experience unexpected side effects, allergic reactions, or a worsening of their medical condition. Even worse, faked medicines can kill. Such unexpected effects must be reported immediately to a physician.
Harm for the health care system
Counterfeiting harms the health care system and operations of the pharmaceutical industry
- Counterfeit drugs undermine the national regulatory systems by evading all controls and tracking of the drug from manufacturer to patient.
- Counterfeiting illegally bypasses market exclusivity provided by a patient. Thus, it infringes intellectual property rights and jeopardises research.
- The brand of drugs counterfeited is put at risk. Consumers are unaware that they are receiving fake drugs. Counterfeit drugs fail to work properly or actually harm the patient. This harms the brand, resulting in loss of sales and credibility.
